Why isn't Mike Keenan in the hall of fame?

[LightningStorm]

The emerging theme is that Keenan "failed" after New York. While he clearly wasn't as successful (I compared him to Linden or Richter, in terms of players' second halves being below the first half), I think the word "failed" is over-stating it.

My opinion of his post 1994 failures is more due to him becoming an even worse person than he was. The level of his team's success is secondary in this regard.

 

[57special]

I know a lot of players didn’t like him, and fully believe he’s made enemies, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard Keenan implied in any transgression close to Babcock’s.

Keenan was absolutely hated.

 

[brentashton]

I know a lot of players didn’t like him, and fully believe he’s made enemies, but I can’t say I’ve ever heard Keenan implied in any transgression close to Babcock’s.

Different eras has a lot to do with that. Social media, player empowerment, etc.

Keenan was a great coach but his approach and tactics were probably as vile as most other mental manipulators that have come before and after him.

 

[vikash1987]

This Keenan thread reminded me of this:

 

[CokenoPepsi]

So just to sum up the reason he isn't in is more politics and grudges? Resume wise no real argument to keep him out

 

[Nerowoy nora tolad]

So just to sum up the reason he isn't in is more politics and grudges? Resume wise no real argument to keep him out

Its not like hes that great, but hes also not definitively not good enough

Hes hands down the top choice for a HHOVG coach.

 

[Staniowski]

I expect Keenan will be inducted at some point. He's too prominent as an NHL and Team Canada coach not to be.

Coaches in the Hall is interesting, though - there aren't that many NHL coaches inducted, and there are several amateur coaches who are in. And of course many of the best-known coaches - including Art Ross, Hap Day, Dick Irvin, Toe Blake, and Jacques Lemaire - aren't even eligible to be inducted as Builders.

 

[Morgoth Bauglir]

With Hitchcock going in now it has me wondering...Burns, Hitchcock, Quinn all in the hall..why isn't Keenan in?

I'm pretty sure it's because it's because he made enemies of damn near everyone he ever met.